Go to navigation
Logo

Evolution

 mesonyx  

evol3

 

 

 

  

  

  

  

  

  

The Origin of Whales

Whales or cetaceans are believed to have evolved from an extinct group of land mammals called "Mesonyx", which are also considered to be the ancestors of deer, camels, pigs, cows and hippos. The Mesonyx had wolf-like proportions, long limbs and walked on their fingers and toes.

Adapting to Live in Water

The earliest whales appeared approximately 50 Mio. years ago. Since then, a number of whale-like animals evolved, with further adaptations to life in the water. They developed a streamlined body shape together with a pronounced skull and protruding jaws. The forelimbs became paddle-like flippers, still containing the fingers of their ancestors. The nostrils migrated to the top of the head and the external ear flaps disappeared. 

Species and Families 

About 80 species are currently known, divided into the two suborders: toothed whales or baleen whales. Deriving from the same ancestor, the deviation time for the split is not yet determined. 


News

24. May 2010

Humpback whale from Skjálfandi Bay photographed off Africa

It is still quite early in the season but the museum’s researchers have already been out on the whale watching boats several times to collect data and take pictures of whales that have been sighted during the trips.

21. December 2009

Ship-building and Whale Watching in the Whale Museum

The Whale Watching room in the Húsavík Whale Museum is now under renovation

13. November 2009

Work in Progress "CARCASSES" The Slaughterhouse Revisited

Sunday November 22nd from 13:00 to 15:00 the public is invited to an open house in the Húsavík Whale Museum.


OPENING HOURS

June, July and August
09:00 - 19:00

May and September
10:00 - 17:00

Other times by arrangement



Hvalasafnið á íslensku

Control panel

Frontpage Decrease text size Increase text size Send page Visually impaired mode Print this page Sitemap